Electric-arc lamp



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet. 1.

N. H. BDGBRTo-N.

ELECTRIC ARG LAMP.

No. 279,363. Patented June 12,1883.

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` h v I m N. PUERS. Phnmumumphar, wuhngtnn, D c.

N. H. EDGERTON.

ELECTRICy ARG LAMP.

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WITYNESSES; 9 y mvENToR a f M71 "m l N. PETERs. Pnow-umugmplmr. wnmngmn, D. C.

(No Model.) Y B Sheets-Sheet 3. N. H. EDGERTON.

ELECTRIC ARO'LAMP.

No. 279,363. Patented June 12,1333.

WITNESSES:

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s UNITED STATES vPATENI? OFFICE,o

NATHAN H. EDeEnroN, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

` ELECTRIC-ARC'LAMP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 279,363, dated June 12, 1883. Application filed January O, 1&83,v (No model.) Y

tory material, and in which theupper ele-e7 trode'is a carbon pencil so set as to rest dur-v ing the time when it is not in contact with the fixed electrode by its own weight upon detaining-pins of incombustible material which touch it a short distance to the rear of its extreme front end and arrest its gravitative action..

My invention embraces the provision of improved means of application for the carbondetaining pins, and of a separate magazine or pencil-holder for the carbon pencils consti- `tuting the upper electrode, by the employment of which not only are all devices used to hold the carbon pencil and known as carbon clamps,77 .clutches, or holders dis# pensed with, but the utilization ofthe entire substance of each carbon point, and the continuous automatic supply of carbons, calculated to enable the continuous running of the lamps for a predetermined period, enabled.

My invention, equally with that class of devices with which it is most nearly connected, utilizes the passage of an electric current through the lamp and the attraction of an electro-magnet energized thereby for an armature, to withdraw the upper electrode from the lower electrode and occasion the formation of a suitable arc interval through which the current is set up. It likewise avoids all feed-shunting devices and insures a constant length in the arc interval, the feed of the. upper electrode taking place by gravity just as rapidly as the electrode itself `is consumed, and being, moreover, under such regulation as to render it impossible that said upper elecl trode should approach the fixed electrode more nearly than a predetermined distance during the entire period of the passage of the current.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure l represents in central vertical sectional front elevation apreferred form of lamp conveniently embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar side elevational view of Similar letters of reference indicate eorresp onding parts.

'In the drawings, A represents the casing for the electro-magnet, it being a box or cover sus` pended from a hanging frame B, and from which in turn is suspended the globe or bowl C of' the lamp. driform, and is composed of a metallic disk or head c to which is rigidly connected a depending cylinder of metal c which constitutes its sides or walls. This depending cylinder is preferably provided with an external circumferential flange a by means of which, as a device permitting of ready connection, the casing is i-nclosed below by a base-plate c of insulating material, such for instance as ebonite, the result of the application of which is that the casing becomes an inclosed drum, so to speak.

Connected in contact with the lower surface of the base-plate ofthe casi 11g is what I term a globeplate D, it being a disk of metal against the under face of which the globe is fitted.

Connection between the cylinder ofthe casl ing thebaseplate and the globe-plate is conveniently effected by means of the screws E, and the removable application of the globe to the globe-plate by means of the hook-headed. bolts F, all as clearly represented in Fig. 2.

G is a U-shaped suspender or support for the fixed electrode, the same'being preferably formed of solidified graphite and. connected with the insulating base-plate of the casing by he casing is preferably cylin IOO screws g or kindred contrivances as re] nesented in Fig. 1.

gx is a socket vertically erected from the suspender G and designed to reta-in in xed position the lower electrode H.

This lower electrode is formed ot' refractory substance, such, for instance, as graphite,irid ium, or zirconium, and it may assume either' the form represented in Figs. l and 2 or tlie form represented in Fig. 4, in the former instance the entire point or electrode proper being composed of incombustiblematerial, while in the latter the electrode proper is formed as a coating or deposit on a former ot' metal or other conducting material which I have designated by 7L in said Fig. Lt, and which is represented as spherical. i

I is what I term the carbon-feed tube," it being avertically erected eylindric containing dei/'ice or fixed magazine for containing the carbons constituting the positive electrode. It is supported in insulating-ferrules i, which in turn are fixed in clamps I) forming a part et' the hanging fratrie.

rhe feed-tube passes vertically downward through and axially with respect to the easing and extends a certain distance down within the globe.

It has no contact with either the head or" the base-plate ot' the casing or with the globeplate, but derives its sole support from the hanging frame.

It is also of such longitrulinalextent as to be adapted to contain two or more earbons ol' ordinary length, one above the other', which are t'ree, so far as any devices connected with them go. to -gravitate through it.

.I is a liftingsleeve, it being a tube ot' sut'iieiently larger interior diameter to freely although elosely surround the f'eed-tube, and to be capable of a Vertical movement with respect thereto. At its lower extremity this liftingsleeve is formed into or provided with a fianged coll ar j .preferably of' brass, or ot' wh atever material the lifting-tube is formed.

.Fitted through this flanged collar are one, two, or aser-ies ot' detaining-pins K of' iridium, platinum, or kindred refractory material. These pins are preferably assembled in conically convergent relationship, andare designed to control and arrest the descent ot' the carbons from out the feed-tube.

The lifting-sleeve passes through openings in both the head and base plate of' the easing and also in the globe-plate, and is both electrically and mechanically connected to the carborr feed tube through the instrumentality of a stud or studs d projected from said feed-tube and passing througlra slot or slots 7c in the sleeve, while at its lower extremity it is slightly prolonged beyond the lower extremity ot' said feed-tube, as represented in Fig. 9.

In Fig. 2 I have represented a slightly modified construction of' carbon-feed tube in which a lateral enlargement is made at its upper portion, the object ot which is to enable the placingot'two earbons side by side in said upper portion of the tube. way of the tube, contracts by means of an inclined surface into the unenlarged lower portion of the tube, so that the exterior carbon contained in the enlargement is deflected by said inclined surface into said unenlarged lower portion when the other carb ons` ha ve descended to give place to it.

L are spools connected together by means of' a yoke O suitably affixed to the head ot' the casing.

I is a positive terminal applied to the easY ing preferably upon its flange, and. N is a negative terminal similarly applied.

NV is a wire led ot't' from the positive terminal to which the line-wire ot' the exterior circuit is attached and wound around the spools in succession to form the coils M, the extremity of' which wire beyond the last spool is con,- ducted through a slot or' openin q in the lift ing-sleeve to the iced-tube to which latter it is iirmly connected.

It is a wire or other electrical connection between the suspender (i and the negative tei minal N.

S is an armature of' soft iron rigidly, at though adjustably, connected with the lifting sleeve at a point within the easing, horizon` tally disposed with respect to thepoles of' the electro-magnet, and within the area ot' infillenee of' said poles.

T is a metallic plugor ibllower which is conformed to the interior of' the carbon-feed tube, and is connected therewith by a flexible wire t. This follower is put in place upon the top ot' the last carbon and is adapted to gravitate with the latter.' through the tube, carrying its flexible wire in after it. Vhen the earbons are exhausted the follower' will be at the bot toni oll the tube, and is to be witlnlrawn by its wire so as to clean the tube of' dust. This follower, in addition to subserying the purpose ot' cleaning the feedltube, insures electrical connection between the ear-bons and the tube. The follower is adapted for use with a tube ol' the same diameter throughout.

U, Figs. 1 and 7, a-re two pieces or plates ol' graphite or other material ot' high electrical resistance, superimposed upon orotherwise applied to the base-plate otA the casing, and extending from points below the armature respectively to the positive and negative terminals, the arrangement being such as, `in the event ot an accidental stoppage in descent ol' the carbon and consequent interruption of' flow through the are interval, to occasion the sett-ing up of the current through the plates and armature (together constituting a circuit of high resistance) and so completely through the lamp without causing an interruption in the running ot' other lamps upon the same eirU cuit, although the lamp in question be out ol' action.

Having now described a preferred l'orm of' apparatus conveniently embodying my inten tion, its operation is as i'ollowsz- Assume the .carbon-feed tube supplied with The enlargement, midl' OO IOS a suitable number .of carbons calculated to supply the lamp for a predetermined time, and further assume the lamp in connection with the line-wires of an electrical circuit through which for the time being no current is being passed :-under the above circumstances the lifting-sleeve, byits ownA weight and subject only to the restraint of its stud-and-slot connection with the feed-tube, has descended to the limit of its downwa `d movement, and has, of course, carried down with it. its armature, while the advance carbon electrode has gravitated through the feed-tube until its front extremity has encountered and rested upon the fixed electrode. I

In this position of parts the set of the detaining-pins is predetermined to be such as to bring them just in contact with the carbon.

rIhe result now of passing a current through the circuit of which the lamp forms part, is, primarily, to energize the magnet within the casing and so to occasion the attraction of the armature to it. The lift of the armature, however, occasions the lift oftheliiting-sleeve, and, through the instrumentality of the detainingpins, of the carbon or upper electrode.

This lift of the sleeve is determinable by the set of the armature upon it, which set is such as to provide a space between the poles of the magnet and the armature equal to the desired length of are interval.

.The instant that the electrodes are sepa! rated the light is established and continues as a practically constant quantity, the are interval remaining uniform so long as the current continues to pass,-it being impossible so long as the detainingpins remain and so long as the armature is under the influence of the magnet for the movable electrode to approach more nearly to the fixed electrode than au predetermined distance.

It will be readily perceived that so soon as.

one carbon is consumed a succeeding carbon replaces it, so that the supply ispractically constant.

lUpon the discontinuance of the current through the line-wires the armature is released, and, together with its lifting-sleeve and the upper electrode, descends until the two electrodes meet, or until the armature rests `npon the plates of graphite and solestablishes a shunt-circuit of 'high resistance, as hereinbefore explained.

In Fig. l Ihave represented the slot q in the lifting-sleeve as'oblique, it being an expedient of manufacture to form, as it were, a bearing for the lifting-sleeve which will thus resist end- Wise thrust of the latter p ossibly resulting from fore occasion the more immediate and forceful lifting of the armature than if the latter were -in a right line below the poles. l

While I have described and represented pins, strictly as such, as a detaining device against which the conical extremity ofthe upper electrode bears and which arrest its gravi` tative action, it is yet competent for me to em ployknife-edges, points ofvarious kinds, small plates, or even a conical collar, as a substitute for these pins, it being, of course, understood that any such substitute contrivances are to be made of incombustible material and are to be set to touch the carbon pencil at a point in termediate between the apex and the base' of its conical extremity.

I have both illustrated and described my lamp as having its electrodes in a vertical position, and in such position the best results are to be obtained.

It is proper, however, for me to state that it would be possible to place the entire device constituting. my lamp in a horizontal position, and by the application of a spring contrivance, or its equivalent, constantly feed the movable electrodes against the detaining-pins, the operation of the armature and lifting-sleeve remaining essentially the same,-and further that this arrangement, while devoid of the feature of a gravity feed of the movable electrode,

would yet, asI regard it, be properly within the scope of my invention so far as the other elements and combinations going to compose it are concerned.

Incident to myA invention as well as to other previouslypatented devices are the advantages that it enables the utilization ofthe entire current for illumination; that the lamp requires little attention; that the light is steady and not liable to constant fluctuation or occasional extinction; that, there being no base-plate for the lower electrode, there is but little shadow cast, and that the negative electrode being practically indestructible the point of light remains 'iixed, forming a focusinglamp. I

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Iatent:-

l. In an electric-arc lamp in which a lower fixed electrode of irreducible material'is combined with an upper movable electrode being a carbon pencil free to gi'avitate with respect to an arc interval between it and the fixed electrode until entirely consumed, a fixed magazine or carbon-feed tube which is adapted to contain a series of carbon pencils arranged to successively gravitate therefrom and which is uninfluenced as to its position in the lamp by the passage of the electric current, substantially as set forth.

2. In an electric-arc lamp, the following in strumentalities in combination, vizi-first, a iixed magazine or carbon-feed tube adapted to IOO IIO

contain a series of carbon pencils so arranged' tion ol' that Carbon peneil which vl'or the time being is the upper electrode bybearing against its eoni V'al l'ront extremity; third, a earbonliftinfjr sleeve to which said detaining-pins are attached; fourth, an armature applied to said lifting-sleeve; and, iil'th, an electro-magnet in the eireuit ot' the lamp;the arrangement being' sueh that the setting up ol' a eurrentin the eireuit energizes the electro-magnet and i hereby oeeasions the attraction ol' the armature, the `lii't ol' thebiting-sleeve, andthe consequent .lift of a carbon eleetrmle toa distance vfrom the iixed eleetrode eorrespondent to the are interval desired, substantially as set forth.

3. In an eleetrieare lamp ot' the elass herein reeited, the eombination ol' a easing or kindred. containing dei'iee inelosing an eleetromagnet, 'a fixed magazine or earbon-i'eed tube adapted to contain a series ot' earbons arranged to successively gravitate therefrom, a arbonlift-ing sleeve independent of the magazine, an d an armature upon. said lifting-sleeve, the arrangement being` sueh that upon the euergib ing,` of the magnet the arinatnre'is attracted and the sleeve lifted with respect to both .maga zine and easing, substantially as set forth.

4. ln an. electric-are lamp of the elass herein recited, the combination ofthe carbon-feed tube, the lifting-sleeve, and the stud-and-slot connect-ion between said tube and sleeve, sub'- stantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. ln an eleetrieTare lamp in which a lower fixed electrode of irreducible material is com bined with an upper` movable eleetrode being a Carbon pen eil free to gravitate with respect to an are interval between it and the fixed electrode, the combination ot'two pieces or plates of graphite, positive and negative terminals oi theline-wires with Whieh the lamp is eonneet ed, and an armature adapted upon its unrestrained descent to rest upon said plates and eoinpleie a eireuit of high resistanee, substanti ally as and 'for the purposes set -forth.

(i. ln an electric-are lamp ol the elass here in reeited, the eoinbination oi' an eleetro-magnet in the eireuit of .the lamp, a iiXed carbonmagazin e, aearbon-lil'ting1 sleeve Whieh is Yertieally movable with respect to said magazine, an armature directly attached to said liftingsleeve, and suitable means 'for :uljusting said armature upon sai d li i'ting-sleeve, substantially as and i'or the purpose set forth.

ln testimony WhereolI l harehere u n to signed my name this LLI-th dayo'l' January, A.. D. 1883.

Il. EDGER-TON. ln presence ot'- J'. BoNsALL fliiron, .I'onN JoizLnY, J'r. 

